Ralph Fiennes is not going to try and imitate the late Donald Sutherland when he plays a younger version of his character in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Sutherland played the main villain, President Snow, in the original four-film Hunger Games franchise between 2012 and 2015, and Fiennes is set to portray a younger version of Snow in the upcoming prequel.

Addressing his casting in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fiennes insisted he was not going to try and copy his Land of the Blind co-star, who died in June 2024.

“I’m really thrilled,” Fiennes said at the London premiere of 28 Years Later on Wednesday. “Look, I’m a Donald Sutherland fan. I’m not going to try and be Donald Sutherland, because no one can be him. But I think the character he created is very complex… The complexity of that psychology, I hope I can echo in some way.”

In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Harry Potter actor added, “I worked with Donald Sutherland once. I thought he was fantastic. Obviously, big shoes to sort of stand alongside of. He brought wonderful complexity to that part and I’m playing a slightly younger version of him. (So it’s) a challenge but (I’m) excited. I’m looking forward to it.”

President Snow was also portrayed by Tom Blyth in the 2023 prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Based on the new novel by Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the original book series and film adaptations. It tells the story of Haymitch Abernathy and depicts his time competing in the 50th Hunger Games.

Fiennes’ co-stars include Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Mckenna Grace.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in cinemas on 20 November 2026.

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